RONNIE Baxter is usually handing his hotel room key back before the climax of the Embassy World Darts Championship - but this year he has no intention of rushing off early.

Seven times Baxter has arrived at the Lakeside to take on the best darts players in the world and, apart from a solitary quarter final appearance in 1996, he has never got past the second round.

Yet in spite of so many painful memories Baxter is adamant that 199 will be different - despite having just about the toughest draw he could have asked for.

The number two seed from Church kicks off his quest for glory tomorrow evening against 1995 champion Richie Burnett.

Baxter knows he is a dangerous adversary.

"Richie reached the final last year and has won it before so I couldn't have got a harder tie," said the 37-year-old.

"But if you want to win this tournament you have to beat the best. And Richie is one of the best.

"He beat me on my one quarter final appearance three years ago.

"But I have beaten him before and can beat him again."

Baxter is full of confidence after another successful season, where the highlight was toppling Phil Taylor on his way to the final of the PDC Wolrd Matchplay final in Blackpool.

The bookies make Baxter 8-1 third favourite behind former champions Ray Barneveld and Les Wallace.

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